Top Stories

Google Inc. and Facebook Inc. lead the digital ad market, which is expected to see spending jump 16 percent this year, according to eMarketer. Individually, Google is predicted to see a 15 percent boost in ad spending, and Facebook is forecast to see a 32 percent increase. (The Wall Street Journal)

Several advertising groups said they support legislation on Capitol Hill that would rescind broadband privacy rules passed by the Federal Communications Commission near the end of the Obama administration. (The Hill)

Amid turmoil surrounding Ivanka Trump’s brand, the brand has discontinued its line of fine jewelry in favor of more affordable fashion jewelry. (The New York Times)

Advertising and Marketing

Total digital ad spending in the U.S. will increase 16 percent this year to $83 billion, led by Google’s continued dominance of the search ad market and Facebook’s growing share of display and mobile ads, according to eMarketer’s latest forecast. Google’s U.S. revenue from digital ads is expected to increase about 15 percent this year, while Facebook’s will jump 32 percent, more than previously expected, according to the market research company’s latest forecast report.

The advertising industry is calling on Congress to eliminate the Federal Communications Commission’s privacy rules on internet providers. Six advertising trade groups on Monday applauded Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) for introducing bills last week that would roll back the rules approved in October.

Advertising technology company Rubicon Project has appointed online ad veteran Michael Barrett as chief executive, after a tumultuous six months of missed business opportunities, job cuts and questions about whether the company could be sold. Rubicon founder Frank Addante is stepping down as CEO after 10 years and will remain with the company as chairman.

A group of ad tech veterans is working with Nasdaq to launch the New York Interactive Advertising Exchange, a technology platform designed to bring Wall Street sensibilities to the buying and selling of advertising inventory. It’s an ambition shared by many companies and executives in the programmatic ad sector.

Across the US, university students, office betting pools, and of course the athletes themselves have a lot invested in the outcome of the “March Madness” college basketball tournament, but they’re not the only ones. The annual rite is also a competition-by-proxy of sorts for the teams’ official apparel partners, which can pay hefty sums to the schools to get their products and logos on the court and in front of the eyes of the tens of millions of viewers who tune in.

Getting into “walled gardens” isn’t easy. And that increases the odds Procter & Gamble Co. will have to make good on its threat to stop spending money on digital platforms that don’t get industry-standard audience measurement by year end.

Anheuser-Busch is launching a new marketing campaign for its Lime-A-Rita brand that is focused exclusively on women, a first for the brewer. The national campaign, dubbed ‘Make it a Margarita Moment,’ and the makeover of the Lime-A-Rita brand was created by a team of female marketers, agency partners and brewmasters.

Media and Entertainment

Here’s a new headline about the hosts of the long-running “Weekend Update” segment on “Saturday Night Live”: Colin Jost and Michael Che will get a limited run in primetime in August when NBC airs four half-hour broadcasts of the faux-news showcase that generates very real discussion about current events. Additional “Saturday Night Live” cast members will also make appearances during the run, NBC said Tuesday.

Social Media and Technology

YouTube TV could present some unique new opportunities for many content creators across the YouTube multichannel network. BTIG analyst Rich Greenfield said in a new research note that the service will give YouTube creator content placement on par with linear TV programming.

PR and Communications

Over the last few weeks, it seemed like Neiman Marcus could not make up its mind about whether to sell Ivanka Trump’s fine jewelry. The brand’s baubles disappeared, reappeared and then disappeared again from the department store’s website.

Volkswagen left the door open to a potential tie-up with Fiat Chrysler or another rival on Tuesday, as a drop in operating profit at its biggest car brand showed the challenges it still faces 18 months on from its emissions scandal. The German company is likely to see heightened competition in Europe after Peugeot maker PSA Group agreed this month to buy General Motors’ Opel business to create a stronger second player in the region behind VW.

Neiman Marcus is in talks to sell itself to the Hudson’s Bay Company, the Canadian retail giant, according to a person briefed on the discussions. A deal would put the struggling high-end retailer under the same umbrella as its luxury rivals Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor.

Marwan Sulaiman was a teenager when he left Iraq for the United States in 2007. Today, the 25-year-old developer at Brooklyn-based digital product shop Work & Co has a green card, which he always assumed guaranteed him safety.

Opinions, Editorials, Perspectives and Research

Brand appeal and goodwill are important intangible assets that a brand can capitalize on to drive growth to its bottom line. With social media now taking the lead as a major source for consumer information, your brand’s reputation on social networks will impact your customers’ impression of it.

Pandora is launching its anticipated premium subscription tier tomorrow, competing with players like Spotify, which have already been offering similar services, including a feature that once distinguished Pandora from everyone else: personalization. Pandora Premium, Pandora’s new on-demand service with the now-standard price tag of $10 a month, will roll out to select listeners on March 15.